The Fine Gael leader's latest flirtation with Sinn Fein will prove a bridge too far for his leadership rivals, but it may be too late

The immediate effect of Sinn Fein's outward positional shift on entering government as a junior coalition partner with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail has been to put back on a fast track the end of Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach.

The immediate effect of Sinn Fein's outward positional shift on entering government as a junior coalition partner with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail has been to put back on a fast track the end of Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach.

Last week Kenny repeatedly refused to rule out such a coalition, which led to conniptions in Fine Gael. Such was the outcry that yesterday he was forced into issuing a "clarification" statement ruling out such a coalition.

That he was forced to do so at all has made his position as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach look weaker still, to be point of being unsustainable for much longer.

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